Minimum Accident Speed to Cause Injury

Studies involving live humans have demonstrated that a motor vehicle accident of as little
as 5 mph can induce cervical (neck) injury. However, other studies have shown that cars can often withstand crashes of 10 mph or more without sustaining damage.

Time for Symptoms to Present

Symptoms arising from injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents were once thought to
present immediately following the accident. However, research and clinic experience now demonstrate that a delay of symptom onset seems to be the norm. Also, delay of symptom onset does not
eliminate the possibility of severe injury.

Number of Disabilities from Automobile Accidents

Symptom Resolution Statistics

Many studies have found a significant number of individuals to be symptomatic for many
months and even years after a motor vehicle accident. In one such study, 75 percent of individuals remained symptomatic 6 months after the accident.

Another study, published in the European Spine Journal, found that during the period of time between the first and second years following a motor vehicle accident over 20 percent actually had their
symptoms worsen.

Number of Annual Motor Vehicle Accidents

According to the National Safety Council (NSA), there are more than 12 million motor vehicle
accidents annually including more than 20 million vehicles. This results in over 5 million nonfatal accidents annually of which approximately 2 million are disabling injuries including
approximately 1 million work-related auto disabling injuries.

Likelihood of being Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident

The US Department of Transportation estimates that the typical driver will have a near
automobile accident one to two times per month and all will be in a collision of some type on average of every 6 years.